Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Birthday Boys: IFC Orders More Comedy

by Trevor Kimball, March 21, 2014

IFC has renewed The Birthday Boys for a second season and has ordered additional episodes of Comedy Bang! Bang! for season four. In addition, they’ve ordered a new Rob Huebel series and have more projects in development.

IFC Orders an Expanded Fourth Season of Comedy Bang! Bang! Hosted by Scott Aukerman, and a Second Season of The Birthday Boys, Executive Produced by Bob Odenkirk and Ben Stiller

Also Developing Projects with Joel McHale and Teri Weinberg

NEW YORK, NY – March 20, 2014 – Ahead of its annual Upfront event tonight, IFC announced a slate of new and returning comedy projects, as well as shows currently in development, further aligning the network with some of the biggest names in comedy. Joining IFC’s slate in 2015 is American Documentary (working title), a docu-parody created by Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Late Night with Seth Meyers), Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live) and Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Meyers); and American Storage (working title), a scripted half-hour comedy starring Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital, Human Giant).

IFC is also collaborating with CollegeHumor on the first-ever Comedy Music Awards, a satire of traditional awards shows incorporating the best of the comedy and music worlds.

Returning to IFC’s alt comedy slate for an expanded fourth season is Comedy Bang! Bang! hosted by Scott Aukerman (co-creator/director/producer, Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis; writer/performer, Mr. Show), and a sophomore season of its original sketch comedy The Birthday Boys, executive produced by Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Mr. Show) and Ben Stiller (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander), featuring the LA comedy troupe of the same name.

IFC is also currently developing Westside from Joel McHale (Community, The Soup), and The Bank from Teri Weinberg (The Office, Ugly Betty).

“IFC began the year with significant momentum that continues to accelerate,” said Jennifer Caserta, IFC’s president. “We’re delivering more original programming that is resonating with viewers, and key advertisers are seeking us out to reach consumers through the power and authenticity of our alt comedy voice. Through our current slate, IFC is continuing to partner with some of the biggest and most sought after comedians in the business and we’re so thrilled that our viewers will be able to enjoy what they do best.”

IFC is experiencing strong momentum, with a +20% climb in viewership in 2013 over 2012 and impressive first quarter growth, currently pacing at +31% over first quarter 2013[i]. The network’s “slightly off” approach to comedy has attracted the attention of both viewers and advertisers through signature series like Portlandia – currently in its fourth season and returning for a fifth in 2015 – Maron and Comedy Bang! Bang! – returning for new seasons on Thursday, May 8 at 10 PM and 10:30 PM ET/PT, respectively – and this summer’s Garfunkel and Oates, featuring the comedy-folk duo Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome.

NEW AND RETURNING PROGRAMMING

American Documentary (working title) (6×30; premieres in 2015)

American Documentary is a curated series of half-hour documentaries and biopics, each about a completely fictitious subject. Featuring a repertory-like ensemble cast, the episodes will explore important political figures, influential artists, titans of industry, and iconic cultural movements, all utterly fictional. Produced by Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video Television and directed by SNL’s Rhys Thomas, American Documentary will be shot on location in the traditional documentary style.

IFC has ordered six half-hour episodes to premiere in 2015. Meyers will executive produce the series along with Armisen and Hader, who will have recurring roles. Production is scheduled to begin later this year.

American Storage (working title) (8×30; premieres in 2015)

When a straight-laced employee at a storage facility befriends a man he discovers living in one of the units, a friendship blossoms and mayhem ensues. Rob Huebel stars as Kurt Jones, a thrill-seeking bachelor who takes up residence in a Los Angeles storage facility and shows Charlie (John Karna) there’s more to life than a steady job, a hot girlfriend and suitable housing. American Storage is based on the short film of the same name co-written by Andrew Jay Cohen (Neighbors) and Brendan O’Brien (Neighbors) and directed by Cohen. The series is produced by Troy Miller and Dakota Pictures (Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords).

CollegeHumor Comedy Music Awards (1×90; premieres in 2015)

When comedy and music collide, the results are explosive. IFC and CollegeHumor are coming together to honor the best of the comedy music genre with the first-ever Comedy Music Awards. A parody of traditional awards shows, this on-air and online concert will feature top musical comedy talent and performances set against the backdrop of a fake, overly self-important awards show. Complementary pieces include a new comedy music website, original comedy music videos and interactive digital features that will engage the audience.

Comedy Bang! Bang! Season 4 (40×30; premieres in 2015)

IFC has also ordered an expanded fourth season of Comedy Bang! Bang! hosted by Scott Aukerman, with 40 all-new half-hour episodes. This is the second time IFC has doubled its episode order for the series, which aired 10 episodes in season one and grew to 20 episodes in seasons two and three. The show continues to be a favorite among IFC’s viewers and advertising partners with brands such as Volkswagen and Cheez-It appearing through customized storyline integrations.

Infusing untraditional celebrity interviews and comedy sketches with a tinge of the surreal, Scott engages his guests with unfiltered, deadpan lines of questioning, accented by banter and beats provided by Reggie Watts. Each celebrity appearance is blended with mind-bending filmed shorts, random character cameos and over-the-top spoofs.

Produced for IFC by Red Hour and Abso Lutely, and executive produced by Bob Odenkirk, Ben Stiller, Debbie Liebling, Stuart Cornfeld, Mike Rosenstein and Dave Kneebone. The series is written by The Birthday Boys and Bob Odenkirk and directed by Chris VanArtsdalen and Jefferson Dutton.

IN DEVELOPMENT

Westside

Created and written by Jordan Okun and executive produced by Joel McHale (Community, The Soup), Jason Burns and Free Period, this half-hour scripted comedy follows a group of suburban schnooks who are forced into a life of crime.

The Bank

A half-hour scripted comedy, executive produced by Teri Weinberg (The Office, Ugly Betty) and Brigitte Bako (G-Spot), about a dysfunctional family who runs a sperm bank. Bako is also writing the project.

About IFC

IFC creates and champions authentic, original comedies that are “Always On. Slightly Off,” which air alongside an extraordinary collection of films and comedic cult TV shows. IFC.com features exclusive video, web series, podcasts, blogs and additional content that engages fans with IFC originals. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives viewers the opportunity to watch select content from IFC whenever they want. Established in 1994, IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and is available in over 72 million homes on every major cable, satellite and telco provider.